The Unwanted Sister (6)

Writers: Heather, AL
Date Posted: 10th May 2013
Series: The Unwanted Sister

Characters: Reven, Coran, Relea
Description: Relea gives Coran and Reven sign language lessons.
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 15 of Turn 6
Notes: Green Valley

Reven

Relea

Relea tilted her head so she could peer at the sky from beneath her
hat. This one was a light brown colour with purple flowers and green
ribbon. She smoothed out her green dress which flowed around her
ankles. The sun was shining, but clouds threatened in the horizon.
Would they pass on, or would they shower down upon them. She turned
her gaze to the flowers that were just beginning to grow and crouched
down to inhale deeply.

"You didn't have to come you know." Reven pointed out to his brother
as they walked through the courtyard garden.

"I didn't, but you are a lousy student and without me you'll be lost."
Coran pointed out, besides, he wanted to learn more of Relea's sign
language.

The Minor Holder gave his brother a reproving elbow to the ribcage for
the "lousy student" remark. They came upon Relea crouched beside of
some flowers, obviously enjoying their perfume. Since there was no way
to announce their arrival, Reven leaned forward and tapped her
shoulder.

Relea rose and then inclined her head politely to both the Holder and
his brother, her lips curled up into a smile. She made a gesture, one
that had already been indicated as 'hello'. It was simple and easy to
remember - most remembered that if nothing else.

Reven and Coran returned the gesture in sync making them look even
more like twins if not for the difference in height.

"Did you want to stay out here or head inside?" Reven asked her, his
eyes also looking at the ominous clouds that were slowly rolling their
direction.

Relea followed Reven's gaze, then took up her stylus. "It's nice
right now. Could we stay out here until it's necessary to go inside?"
It wouldn't all fit at once so she had to erase and then write a
second time.

Reven nodded is head in the affirmative and motioned Relea to join
them in the midst of the garden where a few lounges were arranged in a
loose semi circle for seating.

As they walked Coran signed to Relea, "How have you been?"

"Well, thank you." It was nice to not have to write anything. And
the answer was more sincere than it would have been only a few
sevendays ago - that was thanks to Reven's understanding.
The trio sat at the lounges, Reven and Coran seated so that they were
facing Relea. Coran was impressed by his brother's interest in
learning, he thought it was a good effort on the Minor Holder's part
to better understand his people.

"How are you?" That was for both of them, but Relea signed the
question slowly so that Reven could see how to do it. Then she added
on another sign. She touched her left shoulder with her fingers
crossed then brought it across her chest toward her right hip. The
next one she added was her hand shaped into a 'c' with her right hand
and then she brought it down so that the tips of the 'c' touched her
wrist.

Coran fluidly repeated her movement while Reven stared and held one of
his hands up, slowly repeating the movements. Reven wondered briefly
what the strange trio must have looked like to passersby. Relea, in
her pretty dress and hat, and then the Minor Holder and journeyman
healer staring after her like a couple of trained canines.

Relea couldn't hide the amusement on her face. "This is the sign I
made up for you." She wrote, then indicated Reven. "This means
holder." This time she made the first gesture, but her fingers were
placed together side by side rather than crossed. "And this is 'R'."
She wrote again, then crossed her fingers. "I just put them together
to indicate you."

It was a lot of writing and erasing, but Relea didn't mind. She
enjoyed the conversation, and enjoyed that people wanted to learn.
"This means 'healer'." Once again the stylus was put aside so Relea
could sign. She made her hands into a 'D' and then touched the bulb
against her wrist. "I change to a 'C' to indicate you." That was to
Coran and she demonstrated the sign again.

"Do you create your own signs for everyone's names?" Coran questioned,
wondering how that worked.

"Yes." Relea signed and nodded at the same time, then picked up her
stylus once more. "I try to use something that I associate with
them."

The lesson continued until Reven was sure he had a headache the size
of the northern continent, "All right guys," he said, pressing his
fingers against his temples, "that's all of the learning that I can
handle in one day."

Relea had enjoyed the time with the two men, but she didn't want to
burn them out so they didn't want to learn. She nodded and offered a
small smile to the Holder.

"Thank you." Reven said with the simple bit of sign language that he
had learned, before standing, bowing to Relea and leaving the
courtyard.

Coran watched his brother go before looking to Relea and signing, 'May
I walk you inside?'

"If you like." Relea signed and offered a smile to the widower.

The healer returned the smile as he took Relea's hand and tucked it
into the crook of his arm.

"I think Reven's doing well learning, don't you think?" He asked.

"Yes he is." Reven was eager to learn and so was Coran. It was a
nice change. "You are too."

Coran smiled, "I am doing my best. I imagine it would be hard not
having anyone that you could communicate with.. without having to try
to squeeze it all onto a slate board." The healer felt it must have
been lonely and isolating for Relea.

"Yes." Relea signed and sighed softly, but she offered him a smile.
It had been hard. She had been fortunate that she'd had a few close
friends who had been willing to learn, though Vali had left a turn ago
to marry and Barbira had left just a couple of months prior to do the
same. There was a pause and she added, "Thank you."

"It's been my pleasure, Relea." Coran assured her, and he meant it.

Last updated on the March 26th 2014

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